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NASB | Revelation 1:4 ¶ John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace, from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne, |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Revelation 1:4 ¶ John, to the seven churches that are in [the province of] Asia: Grace [be granted] to you and peace [inner calm and spiritual well-being], from Him Who is [existing forever] and Who was [continually existing in the past] and Who is to come, and from the seven Spirits that are before His throne, [Is 11:2] |
Bible Question:
When you read Revelation 1:4, bible says about ... and from the seven spirits. My question is what are the seven spirits bible is talking about? |
Bible Answer: 1:4 seven churches which are in Asia. Asia Minor, equivalent to modern Turkey, was composed of 7 postal districts. At the center of those districts were 7 key cities which served as central points for the dissemination of information. It is to the churches in those cities that John writes. who is and who was and who is to come. God’s eternal presence is not limited by time. He has always been present and will come in the future. the seven Spirits. There are two possible meanings: 1) a reference to Isaiah’s prophecy concerning the 7-fold ministry of the Holy Spirit (Is. 11:2); or 2) more likely, it is a reference to the lampstand with 7 lamps (a menorah) in Zechariah—also a description of the Holy Spirit (see notes on 4:5; 5:6; Zech. 4:1–10). In either case, 7 is the number of completeness, so John is identifying the fullness of the Holy Spirit. MacArthur, J. J. (1997, c1997). The MacArthur Study Bible (electronic ed.) (Re 1:4). Nashville: Word Pub. Notes from Zech. 4:1–10 referenced above the other two references read similar to note on 1:4 4:1–14 The fourth vision focused on Joshua the High-Priest and, by extension, the cleansing and restoration of the nation to her divinely appointed role as priest. This fifth vision focuses on the civil leader Zerubbabel, a descendant of David, to encourage him in the work of rebuilding the temple. The faithful completion of the work would then enable Israel to again bear light of God’s grace (testimony) to the world. 4:1 as a man who is wakened. Once again the interpreting angel comes to awaken the prophet out of spiritual exhaustion from the holy trauma of the previous vision. Cf. Dan. 10:9. 4:2 seven pipes to the seven lamps. The lampstand is the 7-branched kind used in the tabernacle, with the addition of a bowl on the top of it in order to maintain an abundant supply of oil and pipes to carry the oil to keep the 7 lamps burning. The picture is of an abundant supply. 4:3 Two olive trees. Olive oil, was used in those days to fuel the lamps. The two olive trees supply oil to the bowl. The graphic picture is of limitless oil, supplied automatically without human agency, flowing from the trees down to the bowl, down to the lamps. 4:4 What are these. Zechariah wanted to know the meaning of the two olive trees. Because of Zechariah’s priestly background, his query surprised the interpreting angel (v. 5). His question goes unanswered until later (v. 14). 4:6 This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel. The purpose of the vision was to encourage Zerubbabel to complete the temple rebuilding, to assure him of divine enablement for that venture and the endless supply for the future glory of Messiah’s kingdom and temple. The lampstand pictured Israel fully supplied by God to be His light then and in the future. It must be noted that the church has temporarily taken this role presently (cf. Eph. 5:8,9; Rev. 1:12,13,20), until Israel’s salvation and restoration to covenant blessing and usefulness. Cf. Rom. 11:11–24. Not by might … power, but by My Spirit. Neither human might, wealth, or physical stamina would be sufficient to complete the work. Only an abundant supply of the power of the Holy Spirit, pictured by the “bowl” (v. 2) would enable him to carry out the task, and enable Israel in the Messiah’s kingdom to be a light again to the world by the operation of the Spirit (cf. Ezek. 36:24). 4:7 Who are you, O great mountain? Because the outcome is guaranteed (vv. 6,9), any mountain-like opposition will be leveled by God to become like a flat surface. No obstacle will be able to stop the completion of the temple in Zerubbabel’s time or in the final kingdom of Messiah (cf. Ezek. 40–48). the capstone. The final stone of the building will be put into place, signifying its completion. Grace, grace to it! This blessing signifying shouts of joy and thanksgiving came to pass (cf. Ezra 3:11–13) over the completion of the temple. Contrast this attitude with that of the people seeing the unfinished temple (Hag. 2:3). 4:9 Me. This is the Angel of the Lord (see note on 1:11), the Protector, Deliverer, Defender of Israel, sent to bring this to fulfillment. In the future, He will come as Messiah to set up worship in the temple in His kingdom. 4:10 the day of small things. Though the rebuilding of a temple smaller than Solomon’s may have been discouraging to some (cf. Ezra 3:12; Hag. 2:3), the Lord announced that His pleasure was upon this work, and that His omniscient care (“7 eyes”) was watching over and taking pleasure in its completion. He said in effect, “Don’t despise what God is pleased with.” This was only a picture of the glorious restoration when Messiah comes to reign. That temple will make all others pale by comparison (cf. Ezek. 40–48). MacArthur, J. J. (1997, c1997). The MacArthur Study Bible (electronic ed.) (Zec 4:1-10). Nashville: Word Pub. EdB |